Counseling
Student Counseling & Psychological Services (SCPS) Group Counseling provides individual and group counselingGroup Counseling
Group counseling is one of many forms of treatment offered by Student Counseling & Psychological Services. Some groups are focused on special themes like stress management, eating concerns, or anger management, while some other are more general and focus on resolving a range of issues, such as depression, anxiety, self-esteem problems, and relationship problems. For many types of problems, group counseling is the treatment of choice. Groups provide the opportunity to observe others solving their problems. Groups provide the advantage of a network of support. Groups are especially helpful in learning to build trust, self-acceptance, intimacy, communication skills, and empathy.
Although groups may differ, they generally meet weekly for 60 to 90 minutes, and include 5 to 10 members, and one or more professionals who act as group facilitators.
Students may be referred to group counseling by their current counselor or psychologist, or may be referred directly to group after their initial intake appointment atStudent Counseling and Psychological Services. Remember, group counseling is not a second-choice intervention; rather, it offers the opportunity to learn unique skills and/or a special interpersonal dimension to counseling.
If you are interested in group counseling, contact Student Counseling & Psychological Services at 334-844-5123. If you would like to see a certain type of group offered, please speak with Aja Davis, Psy.D, Group Coordinator.
Types of groups:
Process Groups
focus on gathering information about and improving relationships. Members give and receive feedback about the ways in which they interact with one another and the group as a whole. They also help members explore potential new ways of behaving in relationships. Examples of previous process groups offered:
Understanding Self and Others (USO)
Understanding Self and Others (USO) groups provide members with a supportive environment to discuss their concerns and receive feedback from others. Reasons for attending may include having problems in relationships, feeling dissatisfied or unhappy with relationships, wondering about the perceptions of others, and testing out new ways of behaving. A screening appointment with Dr. Aja Davis is required.
Graduate Student Understanding Self and Others (USO)
This USO Group (see USO group description above) is open only to graduate students and will allow space to explore the unique issues related to this role. A screening appointment with Dr. Julie Dodd is required.
Facing Family Friction
This group is a good fit for anyone seeking to gain understanding about their family dynamics and how they’ve affected the way they navigate the world and relationships. This group is a great way to gain support and feedback from others who understand the often-complicated relationships that occur within family settings. Possible topics/activities include the following: family roles and culture, emotional reactions, identity and labels for self and others, boundary setting with family and others, and dealing with family conflict. A screening appointment with Ms. Olivia Singleton is required.
Vibrant Voices
This group offers a safe and welcoming space for students to explore personal experiences, seek support, and build community around challenges related to identity, belonging, and emotional well-being. Whether you’re navigating questions about yourself, facing difficulties, or simply looking for understanding and connection, this group is here for you. A screening appointment with Ms. Baylee Muench is required.
Dungeons & Dragons Therapy Group
This group uses role-playing game Dungeons & Dragons to aid individuals in addressing their concerns in a safe and fun way! Through questing and working together with their party, individuals will be able to experiment with new ways of being and interacting, as well as learn from others. A screening appointment with Dr. Michael Wells is required.
Therapy Support Groups
allow members who share a common characteristic or concern to discuss this with others in their situation. Members offer empathy, support, understanding, and encouragement to each other. Examples of previous therapy support groups offered:
Unpacking Expectations
This therapy group offers a space for students interested in exploring the pressures and expectations often associated with masculinity. Many individuals receive messages throughout life about what it means to be strong, stoic, or successful, which can lead to internalized stress and emotional isolation. This group provides an opportunity to discuss these challenges in a supportive and genuine environment. Together, we’ll focus on building tools for mental health, improving relationships, and cultivating courage, integrity, and vulnerability. Topics may include intimacy, anxiety, depression, communication skills, and personal growth. A screening appointment with Dr. Patrick O’Keefe is required.
Substance Use Problem Evaluation & Reduction (SUPER) Group
A counseling and support group for students who experience problems caused by alcohol, marijuana, or other mood, or mind-altering substance use, and believe that loss of control is a concern. The SUPER group offers an opportunity to explore your relationship with your substance of choice and the impact it may have on your academic performance and quality of life. The SUPER group is not an alternative to treatment, but rather a prevention option to help students increase problem awareness and develop harm reduction methods. Outcome objectives range from moderation use to abstinence and the goal for students is to reduce substance use harm and increase self-control. A screening appointment with Dr. Patrick O’Keefe is required.
The Support Table Group
This therapy group offers a welcoming space for students at Auburn to explore and discuss experiences of feeling misunderstood or isolated in various social or academic settings. Whether you’ve ever felt boxed in by assumptions, struggled with belonging, or faced challenges navigating environments where you feel underrepresented, this group may be a meaningful place for you. Be heard. Be encouraged. Be supported. Be You. A screening appointment with Dr. Aja Davis is required.
Building Social Confidence
This group is for students who struggle with social interactions due to overwhelming anxiety. This group aims to help students increase social confidence and comfort in social situations. The goal of this group is to provide a foundational understanding of social anxiety and ways to overcome these challenges by changing thinking patterns, learning new skills, and practicing with experiential activities. A screening appointment with Mr. Jon McEwen is required.
Me Too, AU
This support group is open to students who have experienced sexual trauma or violations during high school or college. Group discussions may focus on coping strategies for triggers, processing emotions, exploring available resources, and identifying paths toward healing. The goal is to create a safe and supportive space where participants can connect with peers, experience hope, recognize resilience, and reclaim a sense of personal empowerment. A screening appointment with Dr. Carlie McGourty is required.
Drop In Offerings
Mindful Mondays (Mondays at 4:00 pm)
Research has shown that mindful practice and meditation can have a variety of benefits, such as lower stress levels, improved mood, reduced anxiety, increased ability to cope with chronic pain, and relief from bereavement. This workshop is designed to facilitate hands-on mindfulness practice in students so they can experience its benefits and have a space to relax. Facilitated by SCPS staff members in the Mind/Body Room of the Recreation and Wellness Center (a group fitness pass is not required to attend). Open to SCPS clients and non-clients; drop-in to attend.
Get Mov’in with Moose (Mondays at 8:00 am & Thursdays at 4:00 pm)
Join SCPS’s therapy dogs for a 3-mile walk around the Auburn campus. SCPS therapy dogs know how important exercise is to one’s mental health. Meet SCPS’s therapy dogs and their handlers outside the Student Center near the Aubie statue. Open to SCPS clients and non-clients; drop-in to attend.
Educational Groups/Workshops
provide members with knowledge and skills related to a specific topic. Members participate in activities and exercises to help them gain greater insight and/or practice new skills. Examples of previous educational groups/workshops offered:
Coping Skills Workshop (Multiple dates & times)
Coping skills help you tolerate and relieve your daily stress while increasing resilience. Managing your stress and anxiety well can help you be happier, healthier, and more productive, and it can improve your academic performance. Join this workshop to learn more tools for coping. Open to SCPS clients. Sign-up in advance is required.
Thursday, September 25th, 2025, at 3:30 p.m. (Kristee Treadwell, Ph.D. Licensed Psychologist, AUMC location)
Wednesday, October 22nd, 2025, at 3:30 p.m. (Marque Griggs, Ph.D. Haley location)
Monday, November 17th, 2025, at 3:30 p.m. (Essence Campbell, M.S. Doctoral Intern, AUMC Location)
Preparing For Change Online Workshop
Access this popular in person workshop from the comfort of your own space. You’ll receive the same information as in person. This workshop is intended to help you learn new tools and get a better idea of what you might like to change in your life. The Preparing For Change workshop uses an acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) approach to help you feel better equipped to begin to tackle your concerns.
Anxiety Toolbox Online Workshop
Access this popular in person workshop from the comfort of your own space. You’ll receive the same information as in person.
This workshop is a three-session seminar, each session lasting 30 minutes, intended to help increase your understanding, knowledge, and skills regarding anxiety. The Anxiety Toolbox uses a cognitive behavioral framework to help you recognize and manage symptoms you may be experiencing.
Relationships 101 Online Workshop
Access this popular in person workshop from the comfort of your own space. You’ll receive the same information as in person. This workshop consists of three sessions that assists with increasing your understanding and knowledge about how to build and maintain healthy, effective relationships.
Getting Unstuck Online Workshop
Access this popular in person workshop from the comfort of your own space. You’ll receive the same information as in person. This workshop includes three sessions, each lasting approximately 25 minutes, that focus on helping participants understand depressive symptoms and build skills to manage these symptoms. Getting Unstuck utilizes a cognitive behavioral perspective to help you develop a plan for addressing your depressive symptoms.
Solutions to Problems Workshop
This workshop teaches you how to use tools and strengths that you already have in a way that is easy to implement in your life. The strategies can help with depressed mood, anxiety, relationship conflicts, low motivation, and the overall feeling that your life is not going the way you would like.